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Babygirl
[Blu-ray 4K]
Blu-ray ALL - America - A24 Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (15th April 2025). |
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The Film
 "Babygirl" directed by Halina Reijn takes a fearless leap into the treacherous waters of power, sexuality, and societal expectation. Starring Nicole Kidman in one of her most provocative roles to date, the film explores a taboo relationship that both defies and critiques conventional gender and age dynamics. What unfolds is a sleek, stylized, and emotionally fraught character study that’s as compelling as it is occasionally confounding. Kidman plays Romy Mathis, the CEO of a cutting-edge robotics company who begins a relationship with Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a 25-year-old intern. What might have been played for scandal or erotic thrill instead morphs into a layered, unsettling examination of control, emotional fragility, and the longing for youth—not in the physical sense, but in its recklessness, intensity, and freedom. At its core, "Babygirl" is about female agency, about who gets to desire and who is allowed to act on that desire. By reversing the typical power imbalance so often seen in cinema (older man, younger woman), the film doesn’t just subvert expectations; it actively interrogates them. Yet, while the concept is bold, the execution wavers between psychological insight and stylized melodrama. Nicole Kidman delivers a performance that is brave in every sense of the word. She brings a complex cocktail of confidence, yearning, and emotional volatility to Romy, elevating the character beyond mere archetype. Her portrayal oscillates between poised corporate dominance and moments of raw, almost painful vulnerability. Kidman was easily snubbed from an Oscar nomination for this role (although she did earn a Golden Globe nomination). Harris Dickinson is solid as Samuel, though the script offers him fewer dimensions to play with. He’s more of a foil to Romy’s internal struggle than a fully fleshed-out character in his own right but he manages to etch out an unnerving and solid performance. Antonio Banderas, in a smaller role as Romy’s husband, provides gravitas and quiet dignity, serving as a kind of moral compass in the film’s shifting ethical landscape. Reijn directs with flair, infusing the film with a high-gloss aesthetic that often mirrors the emotional tension brewing beneath the surface. Cold glass offices, dimly lit apartments, and stark color palettes evoke a world that is both seductive and emotionally sterile. However, the film sometimes leans too hard into stylization, especially in its second half, which veers toward a surreal, near-operatic tone that may alienate viewers expecting more grounded drama. Reijn’s ambition is admirable, but the film occasionally loses its narrative grip in pursuit of visual poetry. The soundtrack, featuring tracks from George Michael, INXS, and an original song "Leash" by Sky Ferreira, adds a moody, nostalgic vibe that amplifies the film's sensuality and emotional pull. Music is used sparingly but effectively, never overwhelming the drama but always enhancing it. "Babygirl" is not an easy film to categorize or digest. It is part erotic drama, part psychological character study, and part modern feminist parable. Its flaws—uneven pacing, occasional tonal confusion, and underwritten supporting roles—are real, but so is its daring. This is a film that demands conversation, not consensus. Whether you see it as empowering or problematic, poignant or pretentious, one thing is certain: "Babygirl" refuses to play it safe. And in a cinematic landscape so often dominated by formula, that alone makes it worth watching.
Video
Presented in the film's original widescreen ratio of 2.00:1 mastered in 4K 2160p 24/fps using HEVC compression and enhanced with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, the film was shot digitally the transfer looks fantastic. Detail is brilliant, colors are vibrant and rich, depth looks fantastic. Overall there isn't anything to complain about, this is about as perfect an image as you can get for a modern film.
Audio
Two audio tracks are included in English Dolby Atmos and English Audio Descriptive Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. For the purposes of this review I chose the Atmos track which is fantastic. Sonically perfect, the dialogue is clean and clear, the surround channels are subtle but immersive. Optional subtitles are included in English for the hearing impaired and Spanish.
Extras
A24 has included a handful of supplements, below is a closer look. First we have a screen-specific feature length audio commentary with screewriter & director Halina Reijn, the director takes us through the production process from concept, to getting the funding for the film, and also takes us into multiple facets of the production. "Directing Desire with Halina Reijn" featurette (11:03) this is a fairly standard behind-the-scene clip that interviews key cast and crew. "Power Looks: Dressing the cast of Babygirl" featurette (9:09) this is a closer look at costume designers Kurt and Bart and on the various looks created for the cast. There is also a collection of five deleted scenes (8:21). Included in the package are six collectible postcards featuring behind-the-scenes photography by Niko Tavernise.
Packaging
Packaged in a cardboard digi-pak.
Overall
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